If a reddish colour won't encourage the sprout-dodgers in your family to tuck in this Christmas, what might?
The trend for strangely coloured vegetables continues apace. Co-op are selling these "red" sprouts in time for Christmas; in fact the colour is closer to a festive purple. As with Tesco's "multicoloured" carrots, which I sampled not long ago, much of the red colour bleeds into the water when you cook them, and the final product is closer to an exceptionally dark green. (The colour survives a little better inside the sprouts, so perhaps one way to show them off would be to cook them whole and halve them afterwards.)
When I opened the irritatingly shrinkwrapped packet, out filtered a strong, weirdly industrial honk of cabbage, with a grim industrial backnote. Perhaps the sprouts I tried were already a few days old. But their flavour is that familiar bitterness which, when I steamed some just now with salt, pepper and melted butter, really did evoke Christmas lunch more succinctly than a mince pie ever could. Like many of you, I suspect, I only really eat sprouts at Christmas, and perhaps on one other occasion every year. No doubt that's a shame. Quartered, roasted with bacon and lightly gravied they're delicious, and if you add a lick of cream and a round of toast to that dish they become a fine dinner in themselves. The traditional Christmas meal is necessarily rich and fatty, with its sausages and bread sauce and stuffing and chestnuts. Sprouts offset that laboured stodge with a sharp, puckering bitterness.
They're a relatively recent addition to the table, and we've only been cultivating them in this country for just over 200 years. We probably inherited them from the French. Although they're especially popular in Germany and the Netherlands they have little to do with Belgium: the Romans were growing their forerunners 2,000 years ago. Thomas Jefferson grew them, along with practically every other fruit and veg possible at that latitude, in his astonishing gardens at Monticello, Virginia.
In common with all members of the cabbage family, when overcooked a sprout is among the most revolting things that can come out of a kitchen. Sulphurous, etiolated and mushy, they have turned – or domestic and institutional cooks have turned – generations against them. But I'm not convinced that the purpose of a sprout is ever to be "sweet", as others have claimed. We're not dealing with a parsnip, pumpkin or pea. Instead, I think you can take a kind of perverse delight in the assertive bitterness of this vegetable, in its brash resistance against the trend for flavours that soothe and placate the palate.
Are you tempted by the Co-op's "red" sprouts? Is Christmas dinner without them unthinkable to you, or did your entry into adulthood mark your last brush with this brassica?
She has two blockbuster films set to debut next month and, to help with the promotions, Charlize Theron graces the cover of the June 2012 issue of Madison magazine.The 36-year-old South African actr [ ... ]
Appearing chic and natural, Jennifer Aniston once again appears in two SmartWater ads that are set to release in the June issues of various magazines.The ads feature the 43-year-old actress looking a [ ... ]
After working up a sweat, Elle Fanning was spotted leaving a dance studio in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday (May 15).Carrying a water bottle and her cell phone, the "We Bought A Zoo" actress made [ ... ]
It’s going to be an exciting time in television this fall, as the ABC network has unveiled some fabulous new shows on deck for their primetime schedule.In the months ahead, shows like “666 Park Av [ ... ]
Doing her best to stay in tip-top physical condition, Vanessa Hudgens was spotted heading to the gym for an early workout in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday (May 15).The former "High School Musica [ ... ]
Thomas F Wilson, who played Biff Tannen in the Back to the Future movies, has a unique way of dealing with over-curious fansThe internet is awash with an image of a card that actor Thomas F Wilson pur [ ... ]
After a consultation with her gender reassignment surgeon, the reality of impending surgery dawns on Juliet Jacques. Is she doing the right thing?I'm finally moving towards the second major stage of t [ ... ]
If Adele, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj are proud to talk about their wigs, there's hope for those of us with bad hairWigs seem to have gone mainstream. How? And why?Orla McGarry, BelfastAs ever [ ... ]
Was your baby's name inspired by a Kardashian, a Twilight werewolf or the reality TV show Glam Fairy? You're not aloneDepending on your view of the world, the name Jacob either makes you think of the [ ... ]
Inspired by the success of Ashleigh and Pudsey, I tried to teach Nellie some new tricks …The triumph of Ashleigh and Pudsey in the Britain's Got Talent final has already got pet-owners across the na [ ... ]
Yoga can help fight stiffness, hardening of the arteries, hormonal fluctuations, depression and loss of bone density. And, says Josephine Fairley, you can start at any ageLooking at the famous photogr [ ... ]
A grinning Maria Menounos had reason to celebrate on Monday night’s (April 30) episode of “Dancing with the Stars” - as she and partner Derek Hough received a perfect score.They are the first [ ... ]
Ready to pass out another batch of golden popcorn trophies, the nominees for the 2012 MTV Movie Awards were unveiled on Monday evening (April 30).With the show being held at the Gibson Amphitheater i [ ... ]
It's been one week since the murder trial for Jennifer Hudson's three family members got underway and, on Monday (April 30), the judge released the emotional 911 call from the "Dreamgirls" star's sis [ ... ]
Coming as music to her adoring fans' ears, Jennifer Lopez took center stage at Boulevard3 in Hollywood, California to make a big announcement on Monday afternoon (April 30).Looking dashing in a peach [ ... ]
Helping to unveil the new look of the network that made them household names, the Kardashian sisters along with their momager, Kris Jenner, attended the E! 2012 Upfront on Monday (April 30).Before hea [ ... ]
'Debo' has sartorial wisdom to share – however old you areI am a 65-year-old woman. Where on the high street should I be buying my clothes?Margaret, BristolI'm going to let you in on a little secret [ ... ]
Once, Nigella ruled. Now there's a battle for her domestic goddess crown – and style is just as important as the ability to whip up a crème brûlée. Meet the contenders…Rachel KhooStyle From her [ ... ]
The 'natural beauty' Beyoncé has taken to Twitter and Tumblr to show us how normal she looks, but that's no bad thingBeyoncé is the most beautiful woman in the world – People magazine told me so. [ ... ]
Looking as if she's all healed up following her blender incident, Miley Cyrus paid a visit to a local Burbank, CA hospital for a doctor's appointment on Thursday (April 26).Accompanied by her mother, [ ... ]
Though she always looks flawless in every outfit we see her in, Scarlett Johansson explained that she's just like every other woman when it comes to body insecurities.In an interview with ITV1's Dayb [ ... ]
With just over two weeks left until its theatrical release is upon us, Phase 4 Films has debuted the red band trailer for the upcoming film titled "Hick".Released via Yahoo! Movies, the two and a half [ ... ]
Capping off a full day in the spotlight, Prince William and Kate Middleton made their grand arrival at the Imperial War Museum in London, England on Thursday evening (April 26).With the Duchess of C [ ... ]
It has been seven years since she split from Brad Pitt, and Jennifer Aniston doesn’t particularly care that her ex popped the question to Angelina Jolie.The “Friends” actress, who is in a lov [ ... ]
